A Cottage by the Sea - On My Mind

Apple surprise

9/20/2019

     Each day in Florence I’m looking for a surprise, the unexpected. Two days ago it was the “Ai Piedi Nudi” art exhibit in the cloister of SS. Annunziata. The cloister is usually not open to the public; the priest-artist, Nicolo Santamarina, was there to welcome people.
      Yesterday it was that I couldn’t post photos onto the blog. Unfortunately that pretty much continues, although this morning I snuck one on. Something freezes…no picture. It may be that my blog is too loaded after ten years of posting pretty much every other day. I’ve contacted my web site builder.
     This morning, therefore, I considered stopping by the Apple Store for help. But there it was, with my surprise of the day. At 7:15 a line had formed in front, a kiosk with juice and water was set up for those in line, and fifteen men were stationed guarding the store,. There must have been twenty people waiting for the store’s ten o’clock opening, waiting for the launch of iPhone 11.
    I just was able to post this picture. Very grateful. I'm going to check back in to see how the iPhone 11 is selling. Will back on line, hopefully with more pictures.

Seizing the moment in Florence

9/18/2019

I am happy to be in Renaissance Florence after six days in Ancient and Counter-Reformation Rome. Tomorrow I look forward to stepping into a Renaissance church. Oh, I love Rome, its vastness, bus system, the Tiber, and ruins popping up everywhere. I prayed for peace in 36 of its 900 churches, so there is still work to do there, unless peace comes soon. I hope to return.
Here in Florence I will continue to pray for peace; the city is small and compact, so I will come upon churches with ease. My goal for the eight nights I’m here, however, is to wander about and seize the moment. I have a favorite places to visit for each of the seven days: The Uffizi, Bargello, San Marco, climb the Duomo, Duomo Museo, Fiesole, Santa Maria Novella. That’s one a day, giving plenty of time to wander. Oh dear, I just added another, San Miniato al Monte.
Here’s what I mean by wander and seize the moment. Just this afternoon I discovered that the cloister of SS. Annunziata was open to the public. It is always closed unless there is an art exhibit, Ai piedi nudi” (in bare feet) . The priest-artist, Nicolo Santamarina, was there to greet us.

Fountains at Villa d'Este

9/16/2019

No solitary traveling for me yesterday. Two long-time friends and I took the Metro and then a local bus to Tivoli to visit the fountains at Villa d’Este. Water power at its best. For a moment I could forget hurricanes, flood, drought, pollution.
“The villa occupies the site of an old Benedictine convent. In the 16th century, the estate was developed by Cardinal Ippolito d”Este, son of Lucrizia Borgia (Eyewitness Rome Travel Guide, 1997).

Praying for everyone in every church in Rome

9/15/2019

Three more churches yesterday morning, and the count was up to ten. Sant’ Agnese fuori le Mura and Santa Costanza are in the same complex outside the walls. Outside the walls because Sant’ Agnese has as a catacomb, where early Christians were buried. Rome had a policy that no one could be buried inside the city. Then to gaze at Bernini’s Ecstasy of St. Teresa in Santa Maria della Vittoria. I’m glad I had my bus pass. In the afternoon I found myself praying for me in seven more churches. As of last night the count is up to twenty.
     My intention to pray for peace in churches has me aware of all the people I pass along the streets. The sheer numbers, the multiple skin colors, body sizes, ages, languages. I am not other; I am one of them. Our uniqueness makes us one.
      And then there are the obviously loving people, most likely parents, who accompany their children with special needs. At the altar at the Church of San Giovanni in Laterano a mom was supporting her adult son who was draped on her. As he drooled, she wiped his mouth. Then they walked on, arm in arm.
     As I sit in this little park in the early morning it comes over me that regardless of what praying for peace means to each of us, when we think peace we become aware of the equanimity between all people. In wanting peace for myself, I have to want it for everyone.

Cloister of San Giovanni in Laterano

9/13/2019

My getting-to-Rome plan went well--first cappuccino, bus pass and bus ride. So far I’ve prayed for peace in eight churches and today isn’t even over. However, I’ve ditched my goal to visit 100 of them. Most likely it would be impossible, and it would definitely be nonsensical. I’d just be rushing in and out, snapping a picture and adding the name to my list.
In order to reach my 100 church goal, I would have missed visiting the cloister at San Giovanni in Laterano, the official papal church, and before the ceremony was moved to St. Peter’s in the mid 1800s, where popes were inaugurated.
Another change of plans. I’m not lighting a candle in every church. I always say a prayer and sometimes give to someone in need waiting near the entrance. I know some of these people are homeless because their bedding is set up right there (I don’t take photos).

First cappuccino

9/13/2019

First churches of the trip. Visited five yesterday. Off now to my favorite, San Clemente.

Off to Italy

9/11/2019

I fly to Rome tonight. I’ve flown on 9/11 before and have never considered the date when making the reservation. I don’t give it much attention today, at least not in any worrisome kind of way. I lead my life as best I can; I try to be cautious and sensible. That’s it.
As I write this I smile. There’s a good chance there will be no crowds; I will walk through the check-in and security lines with ease. And the ease will continue.
Here’s my plan, which I love anticipating. I have a direct flight to Rome. I know how to maneuver through the Fiumicino Airport to catch the train to Rome Termini where I will grab my first cappuccino of the trip. I’ll purchase a week-long bus pass and either take a bus or taxi to my hotel that is on a major bus line right in the center of everything. I’ll check in, take a forty minute nap, and out I’ll go. I’ll stop at the first church I come to and light a candle for world peace. My goal is to light a candle for peace in at least 100 of Rome’s 900 churches. Very grateful.

Getting ready to get away

9/5/2019

I haven’t had much silence, solitude or simplicity in my life lately. Well, that not really true, but it feels like that. Maybe it is they eye drop regiment to heal my eyes after the two cataract surgeries? Maybe it was meeting my daughter for a get-away-night? Maybe it was anticipation of my solitary trip to Italy next week?
Things feel calmer today as I begin to check a few things off my mental list--people to contact and visit, meals to leave in the freezer for my husband, and of course, packing. No question, preparing for any vacation is physically, emotionally and mentally time consuming. But it’s worth it. For two weeks I won’t have to answer to anyone other than an email response.

Very grateful for cataract surgery

8/30/2019

Cataract surgery is complete; right and left eyes done. The world is bright, each leaf has a distinctive shape, and I can read and work on a jigsaw puzzle without glasses. This means no glasses for driving; thankfully my license agrees. In the evening I need a stronger reading light, but I can fine one around the house.
I am very grateful that Medicare pays for this and that I can afford the extra for the corrective lens. I am very grateful that I live in a country and state with state-of-the-art medical technology and doctors. I am very grateful that some of these doctors join Doctors Without Borders and perform cataract surgery for people around the world.

Solitude in Italy--again

8/27/2019

My need for an extensive period of solitude is emerging just at the right time. I make my Italy plans at least four months before I think I’ll be ready for the change of pace, and then as the departure date looms, I always say, “Yes, it is time.”
    Don’t get me wrong. My wonderful life is full of solitude. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: one of the reasons I love getting off for two weeks of solitary travel is that I have good things in place in my life--friends and family, health, and church community. For many, the amount of solitude I have at home would be enough. But for some reason, I love the day after day of truly being alone.
     “You must meet interesting people when you travel,” a friend commented.
      “No, I don’t. Maybe once or twice I chat with someone at the table next to me at a restaurant, and every fall I spend one day either in Rome or Florence with long time friends. That’s about it.
      Off I go on September 11; six nights in Rome, and eight in Florence. Home on the 26th. Very grateful.